Social Workers · New Jersey · Continuing education
New Jersey Social Work CE Requirements (2026)
01 In short
- CSW20 credits every 2 years, including 1 h opioid prescribing & pain management, 5 h medical ethics, professionalism & law, 3 h cultural competency; renewal on the date shown on your license.
- LCSW40 credits every 2 years, including 1 h opioid prescribing & pain management, 5 h medical ethics, professionalism & law, 3 h cultural competency; renewal on the date shown on your license.
- LSW30 credits every 2 years, including 1 h opioid prescribing & pain management, 5 h medical ethics, professionalism & law, 3 h cultural competency; renewal on the date shown on your license.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 30, 2026
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03 Requirements
New Jersey CSW CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 20credits
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- On license
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- On the date shown on your license
- Accepted credit
- Programs from providers approved by NASW or NASW state chapters, ASWB (ACE)-approved providers, courses approved through the NJ Continuing Education Course Approval Program / CE Approval Collaborative, and other sources listed in N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6 (Board-recognized approval entities, N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.7).
- Carryover
- Up to 4 surplus credits may be carried into the next biennial period.
- New licensees
- Licensed in the second year of the biennial period: half the credits (3 ethics, 2 social and cultural competence).
- Audits & records
- Attendance verified by certificate of attendance or instructor statement (N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.5); the Board audits CE.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid prescribing & pain managementAll licensees: prescription opioid drugs incl. risks and signs of abuse, addiction and diversion (N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.2(e)) | 1 | every renewal |
| Medical ethics, professionalism & law | 5 | every renewal |
| Cultural competencySocial and cultural competence | 3 | every renewal |
Good to know. Biennial period begins September 1. Credits count toward only one category. Hours read from the official NJ Register adoption texts posted by the Board.
Source: www.njconsumeraffairs.gov · N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.2, 6.4, 6.5, 6.7 (as amended, 50 N.J.R. 2017(a); 52 N.J.R. 479(a)) · checked Oct 30, 2026
New Jersey LCSW CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 40credits
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- On license
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- On the date shown on your license
- Accepted credit
- Programs from providers approved by NASW or NASW state chapters, ASWB (ACE)-approved providers, courses approved through the NJ Continuing Education Course Approval Program / CE Approval Collaborative, and other sources listed in N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6 (Board-recognized approval entities, N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.7).
- Carryover
- Up to 8 surplus credits may be carried into the next biennial period.
- New licensees
- Licensed in the second year of the biennial period: half the credits (at least 10 clinical, 3 ethics, 2 social and cultural competence).
- Audits & records
- Attendance verified by certificate of attendance or instructor statement (N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.5); the Board audits CE.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid prescribing & pain managementAll licensees: prescription opioid drugs incl. risks and signs of abuse, addiction and diversion (N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.2(e)) | 1 | every renewal |
| Medical ethics, professionalism & law | 5 | every renewal |
| Cultural competencySocial and cultural competence | 3 | every renewal |
Good to know. At least 20 of the 40 credits must be directly related to clinical practice. Biennial period begins September 1. Credits count toward only one category. Hours read from the official NJ Register adoption texts posted by the Board.
Source: www.njconsumeraffairs.gov · N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.2, 6.4, 6.5, 6.7 (as amended, 50 N.J.R. 2017(a); 52 N.J.R. 479(a)) · checked Oct 30, 2026
New Jersey LSW CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 30credits
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- On license
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- On the date shown on your license
- Accepted credit
- Programs from providers approved by NASW or NASW state chapters, ASWB (ACE)-approved providers, courses approved through the NJ Continuing Education Course Approval Program / CE Approval Collaborative, and other sources listed in N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6 (Board-recognized approval entities, N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.7).
- Carryover
- Up to 6 surplus credits may be carried into the next biennial period.
- New licensees
- Licensed in the second year of the biennial period: half the credits (3 ethics, 2 social and cultural competence).
- Audits & records
- Attendance verified by certificate of attendance or instructor statement (N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.5); the Board audits CE.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid prescribing & pain managementAll licensees: prescription opioid drugs incl. risks and signs of abuse, addiction and diversion (N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.2(e)) | 1 | every renewal |
| Medical ethics, professionalism & law | 5 | every renewal |
| Cultural competencySocial and cultural competence | 3 | every renewal |
Good to know. Biennial period begins September 1. Credits count toward only one category. Hours read from the official NJ Register adoption texts posted by the Board.
Source: www.njconsumeraffairs.gov · N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.2, 6.4, 6.5, 6.7 (as amended, 50 N.J.R. 2017(a); 52 N.J.R. 479(a)) · checked Oct 30, 2026
04 Questions
How do I verify a social worker license in New Jersey?
Use the license lookup of the New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners (njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal.
How many CE hours do social workers need in New Jersey?
CSW: 20 credits every 2 years. LCSW: 40 credits every 2 years. LSW: 30 credits every 2 years.
Which CE topics are mandatory for social workers in New Jersey?
CSW: Opioid prescribing & pain management — 1 h (every renewal); Medical ethics, professionalism & law — 5 h (every renewal); Cultural competency — 3 h (every renewal). LCSW: Opioid prescribing & pain management — 1 h (every renewal); Medical ethics, professionalism & law — 5 h (every renewal); Cultural competency — 3 h (every renewal). LSW: Opioid prescribing & pain management — 1 h (every renewal); Medical ethics, professionalism & law — 5 h (every renewal); Cultural competency — 3 h (every renewal).
Which CE courses count for social workers in New Jersey?
CSW: Programs from providers approved by NASW or NASW state chapters, ASWB (ACE)-approved providers, courses approved through the NJ Continuing Education Course Approval Program / CE Approval Collaborative, and other sources listed in N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6 (Board-recognized approval entities, N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.7). LCSW: Programs from providers approved by NASW or NASW state chapters, ASWB (ACE)-approved providers, courses approved through the NJ Continuing Education Course Approval Program / CE Approval Collaborative, and other sources listed in N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6 (Board-recognized approval entities, N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.7). LSW: Programs from providers approved by NASW or NASW state chapters, ASWB (ACE)-approved providers, courses approved through the NJ Continuing Education Course Approval Program / CE Approval Collaborative, and other sources listed in N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6 (Board-recognized approval entities, N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.7).
How do social workers report CE in New Jersey?
CSW: By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit. LCSW: By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit. LSW: By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit.
When is the renewal deadline for social workers in New Jersey?
CSW: Licenses renew on the date shown on your license (2 years cycle). LCSW: Licenses renew on the date shown on your license (2 years cycle). LSW: Licenses renew on the date shown on your license (2 years cycle).